Stenberg
The year of the origin of Stenberg is unknown, but according to Mr. Stefan Zylberstein in an email dated: Friday, 14 February, 2003, the Stenberg convention is named for the Swedish master and theoretician Mr. Alvar Stenberg, who introduced the Stenberg convention into the praxis of Swedens bridgelife. It is also the contention of Mr. Stefan Zylberstein that the Stenberg convention and the Swedish Jacoby 2 No Trump convention are the same conventional methods of game-forcing responses and showing trump support. The Stenberg convention is a variation or a different version of the Swedish Jacoby 2 No Trump, which is generally the mostly employed convention.
We are in debt to Mr. Stefan Zylberstein for this information.
The Stenberg convention is a variation on the Limit Major Raises. Below are the rebids by the opener and several by the responder with the corresponding meanings.
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
Meaning | |
|
1 |
|
2NT |
Game-forcing with 4+ Heart support | |
|
3 |
|
Natural with 3-card support, better than 7 losers | ||
|
3 |
|
Natural with 3-card support, better than 7 losers | ||
|
3 |
|
Natural with 3-card support, better than 7 losers | ||
|
3NT |
|
Minimum | ||
|
4 |
|
Void in Clubs | ||
|
4 |
|
Void in Diamonds | ||
|
4 |
|
Void in Spades |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
Meaning | |
|
1 |
|
2NT |
Game-forcing with 4+ Heart support | |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Singleton asking bid | |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Singleton asking bid | |
|
3NT |
|
|
Slam interest, requesting Ace/King cuebids |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
Meaning | |
|
1 |
|
2NT |
Game-forcing with 4+ Heart support | |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Diamonds | |
|
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Hearts | ||
|
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Spades and so on up the line | ||
|
3 |
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Hearts | |
|
|
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Spades and so on up the line | |
|
4 |
|
|
Shows a singleton in Clubs | |
|
4 |
|
|
Shows a singleton in Diamonds | |
|
4 |
|
|
Shows a singleton in Spades |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
Meaning | |
|
1 |
|
2NT |
Game-forcing with 4+ Heart support | |
|
3 |
|
Singleton asking bid |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
Meaning | |
|
1 |
|
2NT |
Game-forcing with 4+ Spade support | |
|
3 |
|
Natural with 3-card support, better than 7 losers | ||
|
3 |
|
Natural with 3-card support, better than 7 losers | ||
|
3 |
|
Natural with 3-card support, better than 7 losers | ||
|
3NT |
|
Shows 18-19 high card points | ||
|
4 |
|
Void in Clubs | ||
|
4 |
|
Void in Diamonds | ||
|
4 |
|
Void in Hearts and shows extra values | ||
|
4 |
|
|
Void in Hearts and shows a minimum |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
Meaning | |
|
1 |
|
2NT |
Game-forcing with 4+ Spade support | |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Singleton asking bid | |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Singleton asking bid | |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Singleton asking bid | |
|
3NT |
|
|
Slam interest, requesting Ace/King cuebids |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
Meaning | |
|
1 |
|
2NT |
Game-forcing with 4+ Spade support | |
|
3 |
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Diamonds | |
|
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Hearts | ||
|
|
4 |
Shows a singleton in Clubs and so on up the line | ||
|
3 |
|
3 |
Shows a singleton in Hearts | |
|
|
|
4 |
Shows a singleton in Clubs | |
|
|
|
4 |
Shows a singleton in Diamonds | |
|
4 any |
|
|
Shows a singlteon in that suit |
Competitive Bidding
If the opponents enter the auction immediately after a Major suit opening either with a suit bid or a double, understood as a Takeout Double, then:
1. A jump raise is considered to be preemptive and aggressive in nature.
2. A bid of 2 No Trump is invitational and is considered to equal the responses listed above after a normal, uninterrupted 2 No Trump response.
If the opponents enter the auction after a 2 No Trump response with a bid of any suit and/or a double, penalty or Takeout, then:
| Opener | Responder | Opponent | Meaning | |||
1 / |
2 NT | 3 any suit | ||||
| Pass | Shows a normal opening and/or seeking penalty | |||||
| Double | Shows a singleton in the opponent's suit | |||||
| 3 higher suit | Natural bid, showing better than 7 losers | |||||
| 3/ |
Shows a minimum | |||||
| 3NT | Shows 18-19 high card points | |||||
| 4 (?) | A non-jump is natural and shows extra values | |||||
| 4 (?) | A jump shows a void | |||||
| 4 any | Shows a void |
If you and your partner wish to include the Stenberg method of responding with this variation on the Limit Major Raises, then please enter this on your Convention Card and explain, upon request, to the opponents the significance.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.